Arsenal Complete £60m Move for Midfielder from Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Zubimendi’s Arrival Signals Arsenal’s Midfield Evolution

Strategic Vision Behind Zubimendi Signing

Arsenal’s capture of Martin Zubimendi for nearly £60m represents more than just a major midfield reinforcement. It reflects a long-term plan that began not in London but on the sun-scorched training pitches of southern Spain. What unfolded over the last year was not just a transfer, but a blueprint in football recruitment, carefully orchestrated by those within the corridors of power at the Emirates.

Zubimendi, 26, becomes Arsenal’s second summer arrival after Kepa Arrizabalaga signed from Chelsea for £5m. A deep-lying midfielder, he made 236 appearances for Real Sociedad and lifted Euro 2024 with Spain, replacing Rodri in the final against England. He brings a pedigree of calm control, spatial awareness and precision passing. Mikel Arteta, who has monitored his compatriot for seasons, finally has his midfield metronome.

“This is a huge moment in my career,” said Zubimendi. “It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me.”

Rebuilding Relationships and Respecting Rivals

This wasn’t a sudden switch. It began in Marbella, where Arsenal’s former sporting director Edu and deputy Jason Ayto met Real Sociedad counterparts while initially targeting Mikel Merino. Yet discussions quickly expanded to include Zubimendi, despite financial limitations at the time. Liverpool were also firmly in the running. Their then-new sporting director Richard Hughes opened negotiations, and there was confidence at Anfield that a deal was close.

But Zubimendi paused. Sources suggest he was wary of committing mid-tournament during a European Championship summer. His respect for Liverpool remained clear, but the pull of Arteta, his tactical understanding and the chance to link with former teammates Martin Ødegaard and Merino proved decisive.

All parties worked to ensure that word of Zubimendi turning down Liverpool did not leak, with his team keen to avoid unnecessary friction. Despite the quietness of it all, Edu and Ayto left Spain with a dual agreement, one that allowed Arsenal to stagger payments above the £51m release clause, avoiding the one-off lump sum Spain’s legal framework demands.

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Real Madrid Fears and Arsenal’s Accelerated Approach

Arsenal’s meticulous planning could have been undone by one name: Xabi Alonso. As Real Madrid courted the then-Bayer Leverkusen boss, fears grew at Arsenal that his admiration for Zubimendi, a player he once coached at Sociedad B, might shift plans. Both share the same agency, further fuelling unease.

Despite the agreement in principle, Arsenal quickened the pace. When Edu exited the club in November, Ayto and James King took over the formal steps. By January, the necessary paperwork was finalised, and Zubimendi was effectively an Arsenal player. Talk of a Real Madrid hijack surfaced again when Alonso was confirmed as Ancelotti’s successor, but the speculation proved hollow. Zubimendi had already committed.

Arteta’s Vision Finds Its Anchor

Zubimendi has now visited London Colney, met teammates and completed his media obligations. He signs a five-year deal and becomes the first major arrival under new sporting director Andrea Berta, though the groundwork was laid by Edu and Ayto.

Arteta said: “Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and has all the attributes to be a key player for us. The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us.”

Zubimendi’s intelligence, technical skill and tournament-hardened composure make him more than a signing. He is a foundation stone. For a side seeking to move from contenders to champions, he might prove the missing piece.